Gratitude

Why are some people more grateful than others? Why are some companies more grateful than others? Most people don’t feel indebted for the salary they earn, but for the small things they don’t expect. Therefore one way to generate more gratitude is to give more positive surprises to employees. Many companies plan and do things exactly to ‘avoid’ surprises! Probably that is what is creating a deficit in gratitude. Of course, planned communication is essential for any large organization to sustain, and essential for many organizational programs to be successful. However, such programs never make a person feel indebted towards the organization.

When you think about it, gratitude often follows a spontaneous gesture. This naturally means that organizations can do little to institutionalize it, no process can possibly work. But by unobtrusive and diligent efforts, it is indeed possible to develop a culture of gratitude. Take the example of a “thank you” card, which can be distributed among employees who can appreciate and say ‘thanks’ to anyone at the workplace - their colleagues, bosses and subordinates. The person receiving a “thank you” card is always pleasantly surprised and displays it proudly at his workplace for everyone to appreciate! It often brings out many unspoken words of appreciation from random people, which the recipient was completely unaware of.

Do you remember the day when you first joined your organization? Chances are that you do, but often it is an unimportant date for your family. How would you feel if a bouquet of flowers arrives at your doorstep the morning you exactly complete five or ten years with the organization? Your wife may discover the bouquet and read out the card congratulating you on the long tenure. It is a moment of unexpected joy, which lingers long after the promotion and hike cycles are gone.

Most employees at the workplace know what to expect every day as they go to work. They are aware of all the policies, how the business is doing, and the everyday issues with the customer. But what if there was a trek to look forward to over the weekend, or a cricket match with colleagues? Or they had been teaching at a local municipal school over the last few months, and the results of their exams were out? When there are different options for one to feel involved, one begins to look forward to work, and there is a sense of balance and well-being.

One is always grateful when treated with empathy and consideration. Once, an employee within 1 month of joining a company was diagnosed with cancer. The conventional medical insurance would not cover the cost of treatment. The easiest decision for this organization would have been to let him go. But this organization extended full support taking up all the medical expenses over ten lakhs as well as gave him leave till he recovered for over one year. He continues working there till date, a staunch advocate of the company with all colleagues and friends!

The magic of gratitude lies in how it can spring from the simplest of events and yet leave a lasting impression. Hence hefty budgets or elaborate plans might fail, but spontaneity, empathy and fairness in everyday activities that touch our lives can make a huge difference. When employees are grateful towards the organization, they reciprocate the same emotion in their work, and everyone benefits! As Cicero wisely put it- “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all the others!”